THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE

Wolverines Cage Cougars; Take Sole Possession of First

Issue Date: January 31, 2018

The Coleman Cougars gave the M&O Conference-leading Crivitz Wolverines a run for their money on Monday, Jan. 29, with the Wolverines escaping with a 66-56 win.

The Wolverines pounded the ball inside, making 20 of 46 shots from the field and getting to the free throw line 27 times, making 21.

"We didn't really shoot too well from deep to start. Coach always says if there's nothing outside, go get one inside and then go back out," Crivitz's Travis Giese, the team's leading scorer said. Giese made nine of 11 free throws and finished with 19 points.

"Our focus every game has been making more than they attempt and we definitely did that," Wolverines Coach Jeff Bauman said, with the Cougars attempting just nine free throws. "We've been a good free throw shooting team all year. Obviously, I'm happy with that."

Behind a ferocious home court, the Cougars hung around in the first half, entering the halftime break with just a five-point deficit, 30-25.

"I made the comment before the game started that this was the most people I've seen at a game here," Bauman said. "This is usually what you see at a wrestling meet. It was that kind of atmosphere."

For a program on the up-swing, Cougars Coach Tim Forner was happy with the way the community has supported the team, although he said he was focused more on the court Monday night.

"I'm very proud. There's so much help coming up through the ranks with this youth program," Forner said. "There's so many thankless people that have helped out and brought these guys up and it's amazing to see it. It was amazing to see the atmosphere tonight. That's exactly what basketball should be like every single night."

Forner's team was led by Cole Woulf, who had 16 points, while Austin Marquardt, the team's leading scorer, finished with 15.

Bauman said limiting Marquardt was a point of emphasis for the Wolverines.

"I've watched video after video of guys playing good, fundamental help defense but they take two steps, kick it over and it's a three," Bauman said. "He hit a couple on us but we did a pretty good job."

On the Wolverines' offensive end, it was a similar situation to what it's been all season, with the team getting three scorers in double figures.

"It's nice, because a team can't just plan for one guy, they've got to plan for four," Giese said. "That makes it so much harder. Last year we didn't have that, but we're better than last year."

Coming off a big win over Suring the week before, Coleman was beaten inside by the Wolverines, but Forner emphasized that it's a "learning process" for the team.

"Obviously they're down," he said. "They know they're better than what they showed tonight. Tonight they took it to us, and we've got to get back to what we do, and that's what it's about."

The two teams meet again on Feb. 19, and Forner says his team will be ready to go.

"Those kids are not going to back down," he said. "They're going to fight."

Marines Sink Vikings for 10th Straight Win

Jake Poetzl's 26 points led the Marinette Marines past the Denmark Vikings on Thursday, Jan. 26 to pick up their 10th straight win.

Poetzl, fresh off scoring his 1,000th point last week, was a leader again, while Matt Wagner's 17 were second-best on the night for the Marines.

Jordan Wendt, Walker Stroming and Jeremy Wendt each added six points.

For Denmark, Brady Jens had 22.

Niagara OutLasts Lena

The Niagara Badger boys took a home court win over the visiting Lena Wildcats Friday night 68-58. But not before a first half battle that left the game in either teams' hands.

Where it not for a five three pointer effort by Niagara's Tristan DeJardin the game may have turnout differently. The accurate shooter gave his team 18 first half points along with Alex Hagerty's 10 point first half.

Lena's Levi Potter fired in 11 first half points along with Colby Borchert who added on 11 as well. Chantz Rowell joined in on the 11 point first half effort with 11 points of his own.

The well rounded first half by the Wildcats left them trailing 39-34 as the guys entered the locker room.

But a 29 point effort by the Badgers would be enough to take the win as the Wildcats found a way to add on 24 points. Ten short of the lead.

"We Shot the ball much better tonight," said Niagara Head Coach Jim Hoogland. Tristian really had a nice overall game. He shot particularly well. Alex had a monster game as well. We just need to improve on the defensive side of the ball."

DeJardin led all scorers with 26 points. Hagerty followed up with 17 while Austin Hagerty fired in nine.

Lena was led by Borchert who refused to give up and was rewarded with 22 points. Potter chipped in 17 while Rowell finished the night with nine.

Coleman Tops Suring

The Coleman Cougars took a 59-49 win over the Suring Eagles Friday night 59-49.

It was a big night for Coleman's Austin Marquardt who found a way to pile up 23 points to lead all scorers. He made four three pointers along the way.

Suring's Ryan Mahoney led his team with 19 points, sinking three long range buckets.

Following Marquardt on the stat sheets was Cole Woulf with 14 and Aaron Fraser with six points.

Suring's Mitch Stegeman posted 13 for his Eagles while Caleb Lally chipped in 11 to the effort.

STAA Surprises Wausaukee, Hand Rangers Defeat

The St. Thomas Aquinas Cavaliers would not allow the Wausaukee Rangers any breathing room Friday night in Marinette as they blasted the rangers for a 79-68 victory.

What really stands out on the score sheets is the fact that two Cavvies made it to the 30 point mark. Tyler Stuart hit 32 points while Jack Farley led all scorers with 35 points. A whale of a game for the two no doubt.

Facing that two headed scoring attack the Rangers were hard pressed to stop the two rowdy Cavvies. Brandon Shigouri fired in 19 points for the rangers while Matthew Delfosse added on 17. Christian Shigouri gave the Rangers 13. These number look great but it wasn't enough to overcome STAA's two man powerhouse.

Bulldogs Bag Win Over Pioneers

The Peshtigo Bulldogs took on the Sevastopol Pioneers Tuesday night and were rewarded with a 81-35 victory over the visiting Pioneers.

Peshtigo began to Pummel Sevastopol early, going up 46-21 at the half. The closing frame was more of the same as the Bulldogs outscored the Pioneers 35-14.

Joe Sodini took top scoring honors for the Bulldogs with 14 points. Nick Nielson added on 13 while Max Neumann got 11.

Sevastopol was led by Eddie Garcia and Brent Haberli with eight points each.

Patriots Beat Tigers

The Goodman-Pembine Patiorts hosted the Gillett Tigers Tuesday night and bagged a 64-45 win over the invading Tiger forces.

"We were able to play a very efficient game tonight," said Patriot head coach John Swick. "I was very pleased with how we were able to control the tempo and hit our shots.

I was proud of the way the guys responded after a tough game last Friday. We talked it through and we executed our plan very well."

Wyatt Marcy and Elisha Heath led the way with each scoring 18 points. Hagan Braaten had 12 points.

Despite the loss, Motkowski had some good things to say about his team, noting improvements from the first time the two teams met, a game the Blue Devils won 76-66 in the middle of a stretch where the Bulldogs lost five of six to start the season.

"It's tough to lose a game like that," he said. "Now, we're a little bit more mature and experienced. We kept it together and battled back and looked like a completely different team than from the first time we played them. This is a great game. Even though we lost, it was a close game and I think we learned from the game. I think some of our guys got some more confidence. Some of our guys are really believing in themselves."

Come March, Motkowski said this game will help his team, despite the three-point loss on the scoreboard.

"This is a game we're going to be able to look back on," he said.

Hot Bulldogs too Much for Sevastopol

Peshtigo rebounded, literally and figuratively, against Sevastopol, coming off a 54-51 loss to Oconto, getting back on track with an 81-36 win.

The Bulldogs won the rebounding margin against Sevastopol 48-12, grabbing 23 offensive boards to just one for the visitors from Door County.

This advantage led to the Bulldogs getting 78 shots to Sevastopol's 43, along with 22 free throws, though they made just eight for a 36 percent clip.

Peshtigo Coach Nate Motkowski said his team is getting better looks from beyond the arc, but it didn't exactly translate into points, as the team also shot 23 percent (5-21) on threes.

The Bulldogs played stout defense, however, limiting Sevastopol to 11-43 shooting.

"Our guys did a nice job of responding, grinding it out and playing defense," Motkowski said, with the Bulldogs not allowing a single opponent to reach double figures or shoot above 50 percent from the field.

The Bulldogs got the majority of their points in the lane, with a lot of points coming from the bench.

"Our big thing was just taking the easy pass, being patient and when there was an opening, taking that opening and looking to score inside," Motkowski said.

12 players scored for the Bulldogs. Joe Sodini had 14, Nick Nielson had 13, Max Neumann had 13 and Damon Jones had 10 off the bench on 5-6 shooting. Cameron Noffke added nine and Travis Plym came off the bench for seven.